1837- Gustav Kramer proves that vases found in Etruscian tombs are in fact Greek in origin in his article

1910 - John D. Beazley begins his work

KerameikosBlack Figure PotteryCorryn Bamber, Chloé Collier, Nikki Nbx, Kaoru YuiFeatures of Attic ClayFound near the city of Athens (Amarousi)Secondary clayIron is presented as an impurityAccounts for the rich reddish-brown colourUnusual plastic properties

Black GlazeThe Handling of the ClayPurification of the clay-Remove foreign materials

1: Mixing water with the clay2: Letting the mixture stand in a large settling basin3: Leave heavy impurities to fall to the bottom4: The upper layer of clay and water is pumped or bailed into an adjoining settling basin (1~4 repeated until the desired quality is obtained)

Forming the vases-Produced on the potter’s wheel

Vase Shapes

One of the most common uses for attic vasesThe storage of wine, olive oil, honey and waterA vase with two sturdy handlesTwo predominant types one with neck and body forming a continuous curvethe other with neck set off from the body by a definite change in contour

Shapes of Vases

Used for dilution of wine4 types of kraters : identified by their contour and the positions of their handlesColumn : body and shoulder were usually formed in one pieceVolute: identified by the handles, body and shoulder were thrown in one piece, the neck and lips are separated, the foot is also separatedCalyxBell

The Decoration ProcessDecorating the vases Apply an ochre washBurnish the ochre with an agate pebblePolish the surfaceApply black glaze with a brushMake trial sketchesOutline the figures in black glaze with a fine brushPaint with black glazeApply added redApply added white Make incision with a sharp point(Inscriptions)

The Firing ProcessFiring -Kiln Fired by wood or twigsAn air holeFiring cycle1. Apply heat to the kiln under the oxidizing condition2. When the temperature reaches 800℃, the atmospheric condition changed to that of a reducing atmosphere3. The temperature decreases slowly, and the atmosphere changes to oxidizing again

The Kiln ProcessAmphorasKratersTurns into a deep warm orange colour when firedComes from a highly purified normal clay which turns black in the kilnThe same iron oxides of clay which are used to form the vaseThree-step firing process (known as early as the Middle Helladic Period)Chemical reaction

Second reconstruction in 1902, third in 1978More ShapesDeparting warriors shown on a belly amphora by the Affecter, c. 540/530 BC, now in the Louvre, ParisHeracles and Geryon on an Attic black-figured amphora with a thick layer of transparent gloss, c. 540 BC, now in the Munich State Collection of Antiquities.The AmphoraAmphora by Exekias, Achilles and Ajax engaged in a board game, c.540-530 BC, Vatican Museums, Vatican City.The KraterColumn VoluteCalyxScene from a black-figure amphora from Athens, 6th century BC, now in the Louvre, ParisFinal Remarks Detail of Francois VaseFront and back view of Francois VaseScenes of RealityNarrative scenes involving human figuresWhite paint for women’s flesh, almond eyes and red pupilsMale flesh is plain blackRed and white used for pattern or shadingSize indicated age, young had similar proportions to adults but were beardless Expressions conveyed through staring eyes and gapped mouthsFigures are gestural, used to convey the narrative scene

General DecorationScenes of RealityGesturesRaised hand, palm out“Valediction of male mourners” – saying goodbye to the deadHand to foreheadShow grief, figure in disappointmentHand to chinPrayer in the threat of deathCommunication between loversWoman holding cloak before the faceModesty or embarrassmentPossible ritual meaningAmarousi (Marousi) Scenes of MythInscriptionsInscriptions name figures, placed near themArtist signatures are common on Athenian black figure potterySome inscriptions include the cry of a mourner Speech bubbles form comicsLettering done in black and spelling is often flourishedExample from the François Vase:FloralsFill friezes with no narrative or decorate the neck of the vaseThe lotus flower is a common choice as well as other vegetative patterns, palmette designs and laurelsDesigns are non-realistic

These vases represent one of the most important sources of mythology and iconography, and sometimes also for researching day-to-day ancient Greek life

AnimalsAnimals of pasture, such as horsesAnimals of the hunt such as boars Animals to represent the gods (Owl = Athena)Animals can be protagonists in the narrative, like fierce hunting dogs or war horsesThe GodsOlympian deities shown as a support to heroesTowns had individual patron deities shown on religious vasesCommon Gods include:Zeus, shown as a black figure dressed but also often naked, representing power as the head of the Gods of Olympia. He usually holds a lightning bolt (see below)Apollo, usually beardless, dressed and holding a bow, laurel branch or another weapon Hermes, bearded and dressed for travel as he was the messenger God including winged sun hat and/or shoesArtemis, “mistress of animals” often depicted with wings surrounded by beasts

HeraklesMost popular mythological being in Attic Black Figure potteryPatroness was Athena who was the city goddess regularly shown with him, making pottery relate to many communities Bearded figure in lion skin, paws over chest and head as a hatOften naked and never wearing a helmetWeapons of choice include the club, bow or swordAthena often by his side in encouragement found in many scenes where the context is not recorded in literature, sometimes it seems like he does not belong in the narrative700 BCE Black figure techniques developed in Corinth

Transition from the Orientalizing period to Black-figure style. The Birth of Black Figure PotteryCorinth 7th Century BCE: Political and Commercial power of ancient Greece.

Ruled by the tyrant Cypselus

Became the pottery export center of the Mediterranean.

Corinthian potters invented a new technique of “painting” the vases which became known as “Black-Figure pottery” which became a widely-sought commodity.

Due to high demand in the markets, Corinth increased production.

This mass production led to a degradation in quality and an opportunity was created for a competitor to enter the markets with a better product. Athens Flourishing creatively and artistically [600 BC]

The potters and painters of Athens soon caught up and mastered the Corinthian techniques as well as developed their own style.

Athenian clay: Clay beds with superior-quality clay. Developed a complex and unique method of firing which caused the clay to turn an attractive orange-red.

The attic (Athenian) black-figure pottery dominated the markets and was exported to all major hubs in the Mediterranean, notable popular with the Etruscans. Every mythical creature is labelledMost animals are labelledSome objects of furniture are labelledSignature of the maker and artist is inscribed twice:

“Ergotimos made me; Kleitias painted me”InscriptionsNeckHandleBodyFootOther Gods and HeroesTheseusSlaying of the minotaur, a monster with human body and bulls headShown beardless attacking the beast with a swordPerseus Decapitated the Gorgon Medusa and chased by her sisters a portrayed in black figure pottery due to the decorative nature of running GorgonsDressed for running and holding a sword of sickle carrying her head in a bag around his neck

Theseus on the Francois Vase - ship picking up young girls and boys after being rescued by TheseusPerseus pursued by one of Medusa's sistersCambridge University Press. 1964Beazley, John. The Development of Attic Black-Figure. London: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/argk/hd_argk.htmhttp://www.ancient.eu/Black_Figure_Pottery/http://sasgreekart.pbworks.com/w/page/10149991/Black-figurehttp://www.archeologicatoscana.it/il-vaso-francois-scoperta-e-restauro-di-un-capolavoro-della-ceramica-attica/http://www.ancient.eu/Francois_Vase/

Scene from a black-figure amphora from Athens, 6th century BC, the Louvre, Paris46.5 The Wedding of Pleus and Thetis above and Achilles Chases Troilos belowTimeline Continued 600 - 480 BCE Attic black-figure pottery dominates the ceramic market.The first depictions on black-figure pottery of Hercules fighting the centaur Nessos.570 BCE First signed black-figure pottery by Sophilos.

565 BCE The Francois Vase is produced in Attica by Ergotimos (potter) and Kleitias (painter).

530 BCE Red-figure pottery style takes over black-figure as the dominant style.Monsters and other Mythical Beings Most common are the siren and sphinx Griffins, centaurs, satyrs and other half-breed immortalsSatyrs are like centaurs but with a human body and just ears and tail of a horse, also snub nosed Amazons, often fought by HeraklesSirenCentaursSatyrsAmazons, notice the skin colourWinged FiguresWinged women are often called Harpies with a few exceptions. Winged Gods and Goddesses include:IrisNikeHermesAthena Artemis Smaller figures with wings may represent the release of a soulVolute-krater c. 570-565 BCE Discovered by Alessandro François in Italy 1845FightingSportMarine life shows dolphin most often, jumping across friezeAnimals can be used as decoration or filler, such as birds filling the sky or dogs accompanying horsemenAnimals also seen on their own - lions attacking stags or boar or other lower animals in a friezeDedicated life's work to scientific research on Attic vase painting

Studied over 65 000 fragments (20 000 of them black figure fragments) Classified 17 000 of these fragments into groups of painters or workshops, relationships and stylistic affinity

Identified over 15 000 potters and painters Chiusi Italy Carpenter, T. H. Art and Myth in Ancient Greece. New York: World of

Art. 1991. Boardman, John. Athenian Black Figure Vases. London: Thames and Hudson. 1974. 46.3 Calydonian Boar Hunt above and Funeral Games of Patroklos Below46.4 Athenian's boat retrieves TheseusHere we see Medusa as described earlierDeath of Achilles is not shown in Black Figure but popular is the scene of Ajax carrying his body after the factStory from the IliadWalls of Troy on either side of the register shown herePygmies are Africans, depicted here as very small menride goats and carry sling and curved sticks to beat off craneshere they are fighting the cranes, which typically go for their eyesAthletes are usually naked, with trainers near ready to correctTwo classes of sporting scenes:Genre scenes, depicting pairs of boxers, wrestlers, chariot racers, jumping or racing menthese scenes have no specific association with an eventEvents depicted in reference to the games at Athensfoot, horse and chariot races as well as boxer scenesWeapons and Protection:most commonly depicted in black figure is a spear or swordshields are round with a grip on the back for carryinghelmets vary from a small cap to a metal helmet, never shown covering the face of the subject chest protection includes full metal bell corsets covering front and back with anatomical flourishesthigh guards and shin plates also seen in black figureCombat scenes are usually heroic scenes but without inscriptions it is hard to tellvictory is depicted from left to right the dead lying on the ground facing their friendsDates from 7th to 5th century

The reddish clay

The black silhouettesDionysos, god of wine, procession escorting drunken Hephaistos back to Olympus, who is bearded, fully dressed and shown with a twisted footGods attending: Hera pinned to throne waiting to be released by Hephaistos, Zeus on his throne, Ares as an outsiderZeus cast Hesphaistos out of Olympus because he was planning to trap HeraGods gather like this in a sort of Olympian councilScenes featuring everyday and religious life Boar brought down by dog and hunterPeleus and Meleager face hte boar with other commonly depicted hunters on the outskirts of the sceneTheseus leads boat saving young girls and boysFuneral games include chariot racesGriffins are mythical creatures with a lions body and an eagles wings and head, someimes even their talons.The scientific research was pioneered by John Beazley